Wonder Woman (2017 Warner Brothers Pictures)
Directed by Patty Jenkins
Screenplay by Allan Heinberg, Story by Zack Snyder & Allan Heinbert and Jason Fuchs.
Wonder Woman created by William Moulton Marston
Cast: Gal Gadot (Diana), Chris Pine (Steve Trevor), Connie Nelsen (Hippolyta), Robin Wright (Antiope), Danny Huston (Ludendorff), David Thewlis (Sir Patrick), Said Taghmaoui (Sameer), Ewen Bremner (Charlie), Eugene Brave Rock (The Chief), Lucy Davis (Etta), Lisa Loven Kongsli (Menalippe), Ann Wolfe (Artemis), Ann Ogbomo (Philippus).
There are a number of wonders in Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman and she is the first of them. Wonder Woman is directed with a compassion that not only brings to life the hero that readers of the comic actually envisioned, but avoids all of the clichés that have formed around the character over the years. Jenkins manages to lift up the heroine to the heights of the reader’s imaginations. She also proves unequivocally that a female lead can carry a superhero action film with dignity and grace.
The second wonder is the casting of Gal Gadot. Both heroic and thoughtful as Diana, she stars as Wonder Woman with a propriety that belies her experience. It is a star maker because she was the perfect choice for the part in every way, and her performance slowly builds until it explodes in the climax. Chris Pine ably co-stars in a difficult role that he imperceptibly shifts into realization. At times his confusion and dismay are palpable as he tries to comprehend this woman that has befriended him as he struggles with falling in love with her.
The supporting cast is large and powerful. The men that fight alongside Wonder Woman show her deference and respect. A group of well chosen character actors help with the already well produced period piece. The script is well conceived and the action does reach a blazing crescendo, but it never overrides or detracts from the evolution of the story.
David Thewlis and Danny Huston are nefariously evil villains and both live up to their respective reputations.
Wonder Woman is certainly one of the ten best films of 2017, and a contender for one of the best super hero films period. The sequel Wonder Woman 1984 is due out on November 1, 2019 and will star Kristen Wiig as Cheetah while Chris Pine returns as Steve Trevor. Although Emma Stone is said to have turned down the role of Cheetah, Kristen Wiig was director Patty Jenkins’ first choice for the role.